The Voice of Women’s Theatre in Québec

For close to 40 years, ESPACE GO has been dedicated to contemporary theatre and promoting women stage artists’ work in advancing practices in the field, whether through writing, directing, or acting. Originally known as the Women’s Experimental Theatre (Théâtre Expérimental des Femmes), ESPACE GO adopted its current name in 1991 and four years later moved to its present home on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montréal.

A Tireless Champion for Québec Theatre

For 35 years, ESPACE GO has thrived under the guiding hand of its artistic director, Ginette Noiseux, one of the pre-eminent figures on the theatrical scene in the province. Under her leadership, women in theatre have become a force for change and enlightenment. Her embrace of innovative approaches has helped redefine and expand the role of women in the arts in Québec.

Season after season, ESPACE GO has maintained strong relationships with the women members of the theatrical community, often featuring such artists as Martine Beaulne, Céline Bonnier, Marie Brassard, Anne-Marie Cadieux, Sophie Cadieux, Sylvie Drapeau, Evelyne de la Chenelière, Anne Dorval, Brigitte Haentjens and Alice Ronfard. ESPACE GO and Ginette Noiseux have received numerous awards and honours over the years. In 1998, for example, an ambitious production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, with Françoise Faucher playing the role of Prospero, won the Grand Prix of Montréal’s Conseil des arts.

Government grants, as well as financing activities supported by the private sector, recently raised $6 million, which will be used to fund the renovation and expansion of the ESPACE GO facilities.

ESPACE GO will also now be home to two Montréal theatre companies: UBU compagnie de création, led by Denis Marleau and Stéphanie Jasmin, and Porte Parole Productions, under the artistic direction of Annabel Soutar.

“Over the course of nearly 40 years, ESPACE GO has used its voice for the promotion of women in theatre in Québec,” says Paul Genest, Senior Vice-President of Power Corporation. “It has played a transformative role in creating new artistic opportunities for women and the larger theatrical community in the province, thereby enriching all of our lives. Power Corporation is proud to support ESPACE GO.”

“ESPACE GO’s renovation and expansion project aims to make it a unique creative space in Montréal. This work would not have been possible without the contribution of partners like Power Corporation, which have not hesitated to champion its essential role and its future,” says Ginette Noiseux, Executive and Artistic Director.

BY THE NUMBERS

The precursor of ESPACE GO, the Women’s Experimental Theatre, was created in 1979

$6 million was raised for the renovation and expansion of the Theatre’s facilities

It has played a transformative role in creating new artistic opportunities for women and the larger theatrical community in the province, thereby enriching all of our lives. Power Corporation is proud to support ESPACE GO.